The Art of Pysanka

History

Pysanky are Ukrainian Easter Eggs, decorated using beeswax and dyes that are applied in layers.

This is an excerpt from How to Decorate Beautiful Ukrainian Easter Eggs "Pysanky" by Luba Perchyshyn. This pamphlet is available from our online store.

Ukrainian Easter Egg Decorating has been handed down through generations of the Ukrainian people. They are famous the world over for their colorful Easter Eggs (Pysanky). Over 2000 years ago, before the time of Christ, people decorated eggs believing that great powers were embodied in the egg. Eggs symbolized the release of the earth from the shackles of winter and the coming of spring with its promise of new hope, new life and prosperity. With the advent of Christianity, Easter eggs symbolize the Resurrection and a promise of eternal life. Legend has it that as long as pysanky are decorated, goodness will prevail over evil throughout the world.

Tools

Marie Procai, founder of the Ukrainian Gift Shop, made her first writing tool (kistka) using the metal tip of a shoelace. After she married Tony Procai, he made the tools for her and their family. He made copper cones and pushed them through a wooden dowel. Then he bound the copper cone and dowel together with copper wire. This style kistka is still hand made by the Ukrainian Gift Shop, Inc. They are the traditional kistky.

In the late 1970's the Ukrainian Gift Shop developed a machined kistka, which we call the delrin kistky. They are named after their handle, which is made of delrin, a lightweight, heat resistant plastic. The funnel is made of brass. A single wire holds the funnel and handle together.

Electric kistky have been gaining popularity over the past 10 years or more. Heat flow is constant with the electric kistka. This has become the preferred kistka of many egg decorators. However, beginners and ethnic purists still love the mystique of the traditional method of kistka and candle flame. All of the tools pictured here, and many more, can be purchased from our online store.

The Process

Melted wax is applied to the eggshell. This hot beeswax will harden almost instantly. The beeswax covers and seals the shell where the wax has been applied. A special tool called a kistka is needed to heat and apply the beeswax.

As a rule the first application of beeswax is done on the white shell. Ordinarily the sequence of colors are dyed from lightest color to darkest color.

Start with the white shell first. Apply melted beeswax to the white shell wherever you want white on the completed design. The beeswax seals the color underneath it. The next step is to dye the egg with the first color. The entire shell will change color, except underneath the beeswax. That part of the egg will remain white. As a rule, the first dye used will be yellow. Now, cover whatever part of your design that is to be yellow with melted beeswax. Dye the egg again into the next color, usually orange. Apply more beeswax. Dye the shell again. Repeat a few more times until you have finished layering all the colors of your design.

Customarily, no more than 5 colors are used on a pysanka. Too many colors will affect the brilliance of the individual dyes. Many colors are of the same hue and therefore not compatible on the same egg. Time and practice will teach reliable color sequences. There are several excellent books available with step by step designs. Following these steps take the guessing out of dye sequences. These books are a good way to start out.

Wax is not applied to the final color. When the shell has completely dried from its final dye bath, the beeswax will be removed. There are several methods to removing beeswax from the shell, but the oldest way is still the most magical. Place a section of the egg along the side of a candle flame. When that section becomes shiny, remove the shell from the heat and wipe clean with a tissue. Continue until all of thebeeswax is removed.

Oil based varnish or polyurethane wood finish can be applied to the shell upon completion to give it a beautiful gloss.

Gray represents areas where wax remains from prior stages.

Symbolism

Rose(8 pointed star):

This is a symbol of Christ. It can also represent flowers.

Fish:

A common symbol for Christ and for Christians.

The Sun:

Symbolizes life, warmth, love of God and the eternal existence of God.

Pine needles, periwinkle:

These represent eternal life.

Triangles or little baskets:

Denote the Holy Trinity. A triangle with a circle in the center denotes the eye of God.

These express the female principle denoting wisdom, elegance and beauty. Leaves and flowers also suggest life and growth.

Grapevines:

Signify the good fruits of the Christian life. Graphs and wheat represent Holy Communion. Grapes can also express strong or loyal love.

Crosses:

Crosses have several meanings and come in many different shapes. They always represent some aspect of Christian faith. Most commonly, the cross represents Christ's suffering and has become the symbol of Christianity.

Colors

Colors play an important part of the Pysanka, but are secondary to symbols. Common colors used in the Art of Pysanky are listed below with their respective meanings.

White: Purity, Light, Rejoice, Virginity

Yellow: Sun, Stars, Moon, Harvest, Warmth, Perpetuation of the Family

Gold: Spirituality, Wisdom

Orange: Endurance, Everlasting Sun, Ambition

Red: Happiness, Hope, Passion, Blood, Fire, Ministry of the Church

Red and White:Respect, Protection from Evil Powers

Blue: Sky, Air, Good Health, Truth, Fidelity

Green: Spring, Breaking Bondage, Hope, Freshness, Wealth

Pink: Success, Contentment

Purple: Royalty, Faith, Trust, Patience, Fasting

Brown: Earth, Harvest, Generosity

Black: Center of the Earth, Eternity, Darkest Time Before Dawn, Absolute